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Johannes Ahrenfelt

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About Johannes Ahrenfelt

  • Birthday 05/30/1974

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    http://www.squarecode.biz
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  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Norfolk

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  1. Would you buy the e-book although a hardcopy was available? Vote here http://bit.ly/Ebook-hardcopy ?
  2. Hi all, I urge my PGCE students to consider ways in which they can use ICT as a tool to aid the delivery of lessons, planning and engagement as well as insisting that they keep abreast of developments in ICT and your site is fantastic . Johannes
  3. Hi John, Neal Watkin and I aimed this book at teachers who are enthusiastic about using ICT but need support in doing so. However, it is not just for beginners, we have also tried to focus on some of the more advanced aspects of ICT whilst not getting bogged-down with the intricacies of the various software. We have worked hard at covering as many facets of ICT as possible to ensure that anyone would benefit from reading and working with this book. This is the reason why we deal with a range of tools such as Interactive Whiteboards, PowerPoint, Podcasting, Flash, video editing and many more. There are a number of fantastic books which show us how to become experts at using Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Flash, Dreamweaver and so on, but there are very few resources out there which give teachers the opportunity to create a resource which is specifically aimed at enhancing a particular skill, whilst at the same time showing you how to use a piece of software. I agree with what Terry Haydn writes in the foreword to the book when he states that: In several recent studies, lack of time to fully explore ICT, together with the lack of high-quality guidance, ‘role models’ and examples of effective ICT use emerged as the factors which most frustrated teachers in relation to ICT. It is hard to find time in a world where teachers' workload seems to expand more and more. Sure, there are many websites and courses you could use and attend but it is the regular hands-on practice that is ultimately needed. One of the key reasons why we decided to write Innovate with ICT was so that teachers could pick out those applications that would aid teaching their subject and enhance students' skills. This is the reason why we have included most popular tools available e.g. online mind-mapping and website creation, PowerPoint, Movie Maker to name a few. Hopefully readers will realise that they don't have to spend lots of time honing their skills of e.g. Adobe Flash to create an interactive diagram or Drag & Drop. The book guides them through how to make a diagram then all they have to do is tweak it to suit their students. We know that students prefer to use ICT and that it can engage them, so if we begin to use it creatively and unpick the skills involved in creating a digital movie, or contributing to a Wiki, we end up with the essential ingredients for a lesson. Once we accept this we can make significant leaps forward. When we use ICT as part of the educational process we get exciting results. With the advent of Virtual Learning Environments (we all have to use them by the end of the year in Britain) and online mentoring, basic knowledge of ICT is essential. This will keep you going and ensure that you can use e-assessment and communicate well with your students. However, I think that teachers would benefit greatly by raising the bar further than that. The potential for mass collaboration between teachers across national borders is immense thanks to tools such as Wikis and online site creation like Keep Toolkit, or forums such as this one. Although this forum is busy with people sharing and discussion ideas, most teachers are not members of one. In fact, most teachers only use a web browser, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, possibly Excel, for reasons mentioned in the first few questions. However, 'We' can change that together; a sort of staffroom approach would open many doors for many people by sharing and showing each other how we use ICT with our students. Best wishes, Johannes and Neal
  4. Flash as a software has developed significantly since my workshop two years ago. Not only has it been upgraded twice, Macromedia was also bought by Adobe. Flash Player is now installed on all new machines and most websites use Flash in various forms, from forms and advertising to games and educational resources. In fact, the use of flash video now appears to be industry standard and many schools, including my own and its attached Sixth Form college, have introduced courses on how to use Adobe Flash. Unfortunately since the Adobe take-over of Macromedia, the price of a site license has increased quite a lot so money has now become a key reason why some institutions do not invest in e.g. Dreamweaver and Flash which is a real shame. However, there are websites and books out there that provide training for teachers wishing to learn the software. Many sites, including our own InnovativeICT.net and the accompanying book, give concrete examples of how Flash can be used to create engaging and useful pedagogical activities. Also, there are European projects such as E-Help's that provide hands-on training on using ICT, which means that even complex software such as Adobe Flash and Dreamweaver can be overcome and used effectively within a classroom environment. Please see my list of favorite resources for Adobe Flash (including books and websites). Best wishes, Johannes Ahrenfelt
  5. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  6. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject. Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  7. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  8. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject. Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  9. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject. Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  10. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject. Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  11. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject. Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  12. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject. Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  13. Dear all, We have just launched a new website InnovativeICT.net which accompanies our book Innovate with ICT which came out a few months ago. Both resources focus on how we can develop students skills and learning by using ICT well. We hope people find the site an interesting addition to an already popular subject. Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin
  14. Hi, I'm arriving with John and Terry via Ryanair at 18.55. Thank you for the details. Really looking forward to it
  15. Hi all, I have just launched my new website named Flasheducation.net where I aim to give teachers the opportunity to learn how to use Adobe Flash to create content for their classes without having to learn the finer points of the whole software. Each tutorial will take between 15-30 minutes to complete and will give teachers the opportunity to create specific activities which they can easily adapt. This is a site in constant development (aren't they all?) so do check back regularly for updates. I hope Flasheducation.net will encourage more teachers to use Adobe Flash. Forum members' comments about the site would be much appreciated ! Best wishes, Johannes Ahrenfelt
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